Pre-1880 Covers to and from
the US Coast Guard are uncommon but those to or from foreign countries are quite
rare. The reason for rarity is obvious in that the US Coast Guard's primary
mission was to survey and to protect the US Coast and coastal waters and had
rather limited involvement in international waters.

This is one of the earliest cover from a
foreign country to the US Coast Guard and the only cover originating from
Denmark to the best of knowledge of this author. This article provides a brief
information I have been able to research and raise a number of questions and
quarries for response from more knowledgeable collectors or students of US Coast
Guard and/or Denmark-US Trans-Atlantic Mail.

COVER DESCRIPTION

This stampless cover originated from
Copenhagen, Denmark as signified by circular postal cancel of Copenhagen 15-7
(in Danish). It is addressed to a Charles Christians on Board the US Revenue
Cutter Rescue Station at Fernandina, Florida. Further the front of cover bears a
blue crayon manuscript 'Due" and black numeral "12" markings.

Back of cover bears a black rectangular
marking, "Via Tydsklaht" (indicating a routing
through Germany) and "NEW YORK AUG 2" cancels.

COVER ANALYSIS

Apparently the cover was sent unpaid and
apparently the recipient was charged 12c postage. According to a well known US
Postal Historian this rate represented an inflationary trans-Atlantic rate
prevailing in 1870s but before the US and Denmark entered the UPU treaty. 12c
rate is believed to include 3c domestic rate. Cover apparently traveled from
Copenhagen to New York in 18 days! According to another Danish Postal Historian,
the marking "Via Tydesklaht" is routing mark to signify the cover traveled
through Germany (Possibly via Hamburg or Bremen which were major ports for
trans-Atlantic sailings to USA).

It seems that the recipient Charles
Christians was a Danish sailor who apparently joined the US Coast Guard Ship US
Revenue at some point in time. While he may simply be a Danish immigrant who
joined the US Coast Guard, there is another possibility. Reportedly this US
Coast Guard ship traveled to Greenland and Scandinavian ports sometime in early
1860s and during this voyage, Mr. Christians joined the crew of the ship.

QUESTIONS AND
QUERIES

1. What is the year of use for this cover?
2. Was the manuscript "Due" and "12" rate markings applied at New York post
office?
3. How was 12c divided between Danish, German and US postal services?
4. Who was Charles Chrisitians? Was he Danish?
5. Are there other covers known to the United States Coast Guard from the foreign countries?
6. Did US Coast Guard recruit foreign sailors during this period?
7. How common are covers from foreign countries to the US Coast Guard from 1870s
or earlier time period?